Although he died before I turned 15, Carl has become my favourite Beach Boy. It is mainly because of his voice, but also the reputation he has and the tireless work he did for the Beach Boys. He kept them classy. It has to be Dennis second for me.

Amen to that. The guy continued touring even though he was dying...performing on a stool for most of the show...yet...he would always stand to perform God Only Knows out of respect for the song! When he died...the band died. Al was thrown out and whatever outfit toured as "The Beach Boys" was Mike Love and Smilin' Bruce and a (good) backing band...but it wasn't the Boys.

In terms of musical contribution, Brian, Dennis, Carl, Al, Mike, Blondie, Ricky, Bruce, David. I know David was hugely important to the sound of the early albums, and he's added a lot to the shows I've seen with him, but for me the music from Today through Love You is what makes me a fan.

As people, from the brief interactions I've had with them - Al (absolutely lovely to talk to), David & Mike (both polite and friendly but not especially interested in talking to fans), Brian (spacey and barely acknowledging my existence, but not in a rude way, just obviously very tired), Bruce (*very* friendly and talkative at times, but other times brusque and grumpy, and I've seen him be incredibly rude to other fans, though never to me). Sadly never got to meet Dennis or Carl.

1. Dennis Wilson. This would come as no surprise to a lot of people around here . But seriously, almost everything about him is so awesome! He was the second-most talented BB, and sadly the BB with the most tragic story. It's a Genuine Fact that Dennis Ruled! And he did. He really did .2. Carl Wilson. Had it been a few months ago, I would have picked Brian as second. But Carl has really grown on me lately. His work is even more underrated than Denny's, he was far and away the BB's best singer, and was also by all accounts the BB with the friendliest personality. He is greatly missed along with Dennis.3. Brian Wilson. How could he not be in the top 3? He is easily the most talented BB. Had it not been for Brian, the BB's would be nothing. He was the American Lennon/McCartney, and with Pet Sounds and the Smile Sessions, he created some of the greatest music of the 20th Century. He is a man who will always deserve respect!4. Al Jardine. 5. Blonde Chaplin.6. Bruce Johnston.7. David Marks.8. Ricky Fataar.9. Mike Love.

I voted Mike. I know he gets a lot of stick off some people, but I've never been let down by his performances, I like his attitude to the music and I think he lead vocals are signature Beach Boys moments. I love his bass-parts, enjoy the songs he wrote or co-wrote, and generally think he's pretty amazing as a front-man.

I love all the original Beach Boys, and I'd include David as an original, even Bruce as a longtime member. If you're talking about musical contributions, how could anyone NOT like them all. They all contributed – in varying degrees – to what was the most distinctive (and best, in my opinion) sound in modern music.

That said, my favorite – now and always – is Carl Wilson. And it's not even close. Carl – or more precisely, his absence – is the reason the group we heard and loved during the C50 tour could not quite measure up, vocally, to the band we fell in love with in the early 60s; and the band that kept its longtime fans in total awe for almost four decades.

I love all the original Beach Boys, and I'd include David as an original, even Bruce as a longtime member. If you're talking about musical contributions, how could anyone NOT like them all. They all contributed – in varying degrees – to what was the most distinctive (and best, in my opinion) sound in modern music.

That said, my favorite – now and always – is Carl Wilson. And it's not even close. Carl – or more precisely, his absence – is the reason the group we heard and loved during the C50 tour could not quite measure up, vocally, to the band we fell in love with in the early 60s; and the band that kept its longtime fans in total awe for almost four decades.

Best answer I have seen! I myself just ASSUMED the touring Beach Boys were history when Carl died and was shocked that the group continued because in the post-Brian AWOL era Carl seemed to BE the Beach Boys, even making Kokomo tolerable. The lineup on TWGMTR and the 50 tour was acceptable to me and having David Marks onboard went a long way to make it legit to me but still a huge part of the soul was missing. Closest thing to a "real" Beach Boys lineup we have seen in decades though.